But get over yourself and your ego and start realizing the world doesn't revolve around. Cultivate a positive outlook and roll with the punches. Try and work hard but realize life isn't fair and almost nobody is actually out to get you. The majority don't really care if you fail or succeed. They are too busy being all consumed with their lives. Live how you want and stop making decisions to make other people happy. Don't be a dick of course, but live your life. If you don't want to be a lawyer don't go to law school to make your mom proud. Be yourself. You can't be anyone else. Advertising isn't selling happiness. They are selling a product you don't need. If you can't find happiness in yourself no car or shirt or soda is going to give it to you. This crazy consumer culture trying to keep up with the Jones' is bullsh*t. You can be happy without buying anything new. You don't need have the sh*t they say you need. But it is all cliche crap that means nothing if you aren't open to it. Again, get over yourself. Smell the roses. Smile. Laugh. Love. Cliche cliches. Life is beautiful. Life is wickedly unfair. Deal with it. Get over your drama. Put down your cross. We need the wood for the next martyr. Be thankful and show gratitude. The grass isn't always greener on the other side. Happiness is not a destination. Happiness just won't magically happen because you met a goal or whatnot. Enjoy!

But get over yourself and your ego and start realizing the world doesn't revolve around. Cultivate a positive outlook and roll with the punches. Try and work hard but realize life isn't fair and almost nobody is actually out to get you***. The majority don't really care if you fail or succeed. They are too busy being all consumed with their lives. Live how you want and stop making decisions to make other people happy. Don't be a dick of course, but live your life. If you don't want to be a lawyer don't go to law school to make your mom proud. Be yourself. You can't be anyone else. Advertising isn't selling happiness. They are selling a product you don't need. If you can't find happiness in yourself no car or shirt or soda is going to give it to you. This crazy consumer culture trying to keep up with the Jones' is bullsh*t. You can be happy without buying anything new. You don't need have the sh*t they say you need. But it is all cliche crap that means nothing if you aren't open to it. Again, get over yourself. Smell the roses. Smile. Laugh. Love. Cliche cliches. Life is beautiful. Life is wickedly unfair. Deal with it. Get over your drama. Put down your cross. We need the wood for the next martyr. Be thankful and show gratitude. The grass isn't always greener on the other side. Happiness is not a destination. Happiness just won't magically happen because you met a goal or whatnot. Enjoy!

SPOCK THOUGHTSGo placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence.As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons.Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even the dull and ignorant; they too have their story.Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit.If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter;for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.Keep interested in your career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery.But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals;and everywhere life is full of heroism.Be yourself.Especially, do not feign affection.Neither be critical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass.Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with imaginings.Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars;you have a right to be here.And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be,and whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy.

SPOCK THOUGHTSGo placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence.As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons.Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even the dull and ignorant; they too have their story.Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit.If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter;for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.Keep interested in your career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery.But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals;and everywhere life is full of heroism.Be yourself.Especially, do not feign affection.Neither be critical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass.Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with imaginings.Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars;you have a right to be here.And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be,and whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy.

You are a flukeOf the universe.You have no right to be here.....Deteriorata! Deteriorata!Go placidlyAmid the noise and waste.And remember what comfort there may beIn owning a piece thereof.Avoid quiet and passive personsUnless you are in need of sleep.Ro-tate your tires.Speak glowingly of those greater than yourselfAnd heed well their advice,Even though they be turkeys.Know what to kiss.....and when!Consider that two wrongs never make a rightBut that THREE.........do.Wherever possible, put people on hold.Be comforted that in the face of all aridity and disillusionmentAnd despite the changing fortunes of time,There is always a big future in computer main-te-nance.ChorusYou are a flukeOf the universe.You have no right to be here.And whether you can hear it or notThe universe is laughing behind your back.Remember the Pueblo.Strive at all times to bend, fold, spindle and mu-ti-late.Know yourself.If you need help, call the FBI.Exercise caution in your daily affairs,Especially with those persons closest to you.That lemon on your left, for instance.Be assured that a walk through the ocean of most soulsWould scarcely get your feet wet.Fall not in love therefore;It will stick to your face.Gracefully surrender the things of youth:The birds, clean air, tuna, TaiwanAnd let not the sands of timeGet in your lunch.Hire people with hooks.For a good time call 606-4311;Ask for "Ken."Take heart amid the deepening gloomThat your dog is finally getting enough cheese.And reflect that whatever misfortune may be your lotIt could only be worse in Milwaukee.ChorusYou are a flukeOf the universe.You have no right to be here.And whether you can hear it or notThe universe is laughing behind your back.Therefore, make peace with your godWhatever you conceive him to be---Hairy thunderer, or cosmic muffin.With all its hopes, dreams, promises and urban renewalThe world continues to deteriorate.GIVE UP!

phlegmmo: ....Hairy thunderer, or cosmic muffin.With all its hopes, dreams, promises and urban renewalThe world continues to deteriorate.GIVE UP!

Your flesh, too, is weak. But you have... potential.You move like an insect. You think like an insect. You ARE an insect.They mock my eminence. Make them pay for that mistakeMake yourself comfortable... before long I will decorate my home with your carcass.How dare you, insect? How dare you interrupt my ascendance? You are nothing.Are you afraid? What is it you fear? The end of your trivial existence? When the history of my glory is written, your species shall only be a footnote to my magnificence.Your flesh is an insult to the perfection of the digital.You are no longer welcome here, nuisance.

I'm only in my early 30's, but I noticed a remarkable increase in happiness when I stopped caring so much about petty bs or what other people think or think I should be doing with my life. Cutting out or reducing contact with negativity and negative people/influences helped significantly. Telling myself it's okay that I never become a famous rock star actor billionaire "fill in the blank unrealistic dream" and instead focusing on attainable goals. And the most significant increase to my happiness was being in a relationship with someone who is truly my best friend who I share my life with where all we do is have fun and laugh together (as opposed to previous relationships filled with fighting and breaking up repeatedly). Of course the last part was pure luck but I went from never being happy to always being happy 7 years ago due to this.

Could it be because you've discovered that a lot of causes or things you fought for could not be won and you gave up? Accepted your fate to basically be a nobody in the grand scheme of things, where when younger, you figured you'd be somebody?

How many of you did something really good, probably at a cost to yourself, and 20 years later, discover that no one recalls or even gives a shiat?

You've probably discovered that worrying about things usually isn't worth the effort and your actions will not change the world after all. At work, you've learned what battles to fight and which one's to avoid. You know who will take credit for your ideas and who will not. You can watch the 'younger generation' come in all full of pi$$ and vinegar and determined to change the way things are and recall when you were that stupid.

Maybe your mortgage is paid off -- having learned long ago not to jump from house to house. You've finally bought a car that doesn't fall apart in 6 months and paid it off. You plan on keeping it at least 4 more years. You've learned all of the media tricks to entice you to go into debt buying things you don't need. You've had that same cell for 5 years and it works and you find no reason to buy a newer, more expensive type with a bunch of bells and whistles you don't want or need.

Perhaps you learned to avoid buying a home where there is an HOA. You've learned to toss all of those pre-approved credit card offers into the shredder having taken a magnifying glass to actually read enough versions of the fine print to see how they screw you.

You've found an auto insurance company you like and can trust and ignore all of the other ads on TV.

Essentially, you've matured.

It's just too damn bad that the younger generation will not pay attention to any of your words of wisdom and will have to find it all out for themselves in the long run.

SPOCK THOUGHTSGo placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence.As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons.Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even the dull and ignorant; they too have their story.Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit.If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter;for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.Keep interested in your career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery.But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals;and everywhere life is full of heroism.Be yourself.Especially, do not feign affection.Neither be critical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass.Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with imaginings.Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars;you have a right to be here.And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be,and whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy.

The text was widely distributed in poster form. Calling it "Spock Thoughts", Leonard Nimoy recited the poem on his 1967 album, "Leonard Nimoy Presents Mr. Spock's Music from Outer Space". His rendition is not the only one to change the 2nd to last sentence from "Be Cheerful" to "Be Careful".

I am old, and I am still quite full of piss and vinegar. I am happy because with age comes respect, and when you have respect you start to win battles, and there is nothing more satisfying than winning.

Being young is about living in constant disappointment and being completely powerless to do anything about it, because we don't listen to them any more than they listen to us.

My grandmother suffered dementia. She tried to get in bed with her first-born son because he looked like his father. She tried to go back home to her family despite being shown than her childhood home had burned down. She referred to my mother as her own grandmother.

When my grandfather died, there was much weeping amongst us. When my grandmother died, there wasn't even one tear. We had already mourned her.

PillsHere:I'm only in my early 30's, but I noticed a remarkable increase in happiness when I stopped caring so much about petty bs or what other people think or think I should be doing with my life. Cutting out or reducing contact with negativity and negative people/influences helped significantly. Telling myself it's okay that I never become a famous rock star actor billionaire "fill in the blank unrealistic dream" and instead focusing on attainable goals. And the most significant increase to my happiness was being in a relationship with someone who is truly my best friend who I share my life with where all we do is have fun and laugh together (as opposed to previous relationships filled with fighting and breaking up repeatedly). Of course the last part was pure luck but I went from never being happy to always being happy 7 years ago due to this.

I agree...Not giving a sh*t about what people think is quite satisfying and can lead to happiness.

Haters gonna hate. F*ck 'em.

And a post a bit up there made me think that "get over yourself" could mean "give up"

I don't mean give up. I just mean do what you like and be happy with yourself. If you are happy at your job or what not, just be happy. I think we need more people that are just content being themselves. Striving and driving to be something you think society wants you to be is not a recipe for happiness.

I met a lady in college that loved being a manager at a convenience store. It helped opened my eyes. I maybe judged her a bit, but realizing some people are happy doing things you wouldn't want to do was a cool realization.

There was a dishwasher guy on a Fark a few years ago that died and in TFA he had said something about "loving his job" or something like that. He got mad hated on for being a loser or whatever. We can't all be doctors and lawyers and such.

Mom is seriously mentally ill. She went through her life deluded, truly believing she was never wrong and that it was her place in life to say whatever she pleased to anyone because they would benefit from her words. Coupled with her alcoholic husband, they interfaced in high volumes at all times; that was their method of communication. Mom physically and mentally abused her children regularly and denies it all. She has an incredible sense of humor beyond the telling, is highly intelligent, and she convinced herself that all was well most of the time.

Hey gimme a break, I know Nimoy didn't write Desiderata.I just prefer to think That Spock wrote it & sits around in a cave on Vulcan reciting it from time to timeto a transfixed audience of impressionable young Vulcans.Plus I love "The 2 Sides of Leonard Nimoy", "Leonard Nimoy Presents Mr. Spocks Music From Outer Space", "Whales Alive", etc.

Rik01:Could it be because you've discovered that a lot of causes or things you fought for could not be won and you gave up? Accepted your fate to basically be a nobody in the grand scheme of things, where when younger, you figured you'd be somebody?

How many of you did something really good, probably at a cost to yourself, and 20 years later, discover that no one recalls or even gives a shiat?

You've probably discovered that worrying about things usually isn't worth the effort and your actions will not change the world after all. At work, you've learned what battles to fight and which one's to avoid. You know who will take credit for your ideas and who will not. You can watch the 'younger generation' come in all full of pi$$ and vinegar and determined to change the way things are and recall when you were that stupid.

Maybe your mortgage is paid off -- having learned long ago not to jump from house to house. You've finally bought a car that doesn't fall apart in 6 months and paid it off. You plan on keeping it at least 4 more years. You've learned all of the media tricks to entice you to go into debt buying things you don't need. You've had that same cell for 5 years and it works and you find no reason to buy a newer, more expensive type with a bunch of bells and whistles you don't want or need.

Perhaps you learned to avoid buying a home where there is an HOA. You've learned to toss all of those pre-approved credit card offers into the shredder having taken a magnifying glass to actually read enough versions of the fine print to see how they screw you.

You've found an auto insurance company you like and can trust and ignore all of the other ads on TV.

Essentially, you've matured.

It's just too damn bad that the younger generation will not pay attention to any of your words of wisdom and will have to find it all out for themselves in the long run.

Pretty much all this.

I worked hard, saved well, married great, was/am a strict parent, great kids.

The maximum dose of two antidepressants and regarding distilled spirits as a vital food group help that a great deal.

I did however scrub -- literally scrub, on my hands & knees with a brush -- my kitchen and bathroom floors. And rinse with bleach water. Of course they don't look much different, this building is almost as old as I am, but at least the super can't say I'm a total slob. The next time he comes in here to fix one of the many things that need fixing this place should look less like a demented cave creature lives here: I'm terrified he won't renew my lease this summer, not making three times the rent anywhere in town means it's hard to find a place where you don't run the risk of being collateral damage from a gangsta who can't afford target practice. Seriously. And this place is only about a mile from the ex's, who lets me come over to giggle at the ferrets, pet the cat and walk the canines; sometimes she'll even feed me something healthy I'm too lazy to make myself. I'm really just waiting till I qualify for Seniors housing, 5 or 10 more years depending.

1./ Your income increases. People that traipse along in life claiming that money doesn't buy happiness are absolutely correct. But that shiat DOES buy security and peace of mind...and those things make most normal folk happy.

2./ You discover things that you swore were life and death important when you were young aren't not only not important as you get older...you're embarrassed you were once that naive/stupid.

3./ You've finally "discovered" who you are and have either changed it (if you weren't satisfied with the discovery) or have adapted to be comfortable with it or made some other accommodation so that you can resume living in relative peace with it. Everyone thinks they're invincible, the newest, bestest thing ever and will be a virtual revolutionary leap forward in mankind when they're younger...only to discover they're not the next Einstien, Neal Armstrong or whoever...just like the "curmudgeons" who they mocked when they were younger were telling them.

Due to those three typical happenings, most people as they age adjust their goals/expectations/habits to comport with reality. Young folk, lacking life experience, believe that experience can be overcome with youthful zest and "new" thinking...while forgetting that human culture is around 50,000 years old and the chances of anything truly "new" coming out of the mind of a young person is infinitely less likely than getting struck by lightning...in a coal mine.

It's only new to you, sparky. Keep that in mind while you get off my lawn.

Babbs:Quantum Apostrophe: Finally, some confirmation for my theory of the Middle-Aged Delusional Syndrome.

Sorry, your body is falling apart, your brain can't keep up and nothing is going to get better. Youth is the best time of your life.

So much THIS. I HATE getting old. I can honestly say I was much happier in my youth.

Do you have any idea how rare it is to find someone to admit this? Is it because we have no freaking clue about what aging actually is and how to stop it? So people just grin and bear it? "Oh but aging makes you wise and I don't want to be 20 again" bla bla bla nonsense?

I want at least SOME kind of effort to find out how aging works and how to stop it, or at least treat some of the worst aspects of it. Sure, we can treat symptoms and have very good surgery these days, but it's not really anti-aging.

Glockenspiel Hero:phlegmmo: ....Hairy thunderer, or cosmic muffin.With all its hopes, dreams, promises and urban renewalThe world continues to deteriorate.GIVE UP!

Your flesh, too, is weak. But you have... potential.You move like an insect. You think like an insect. You ARE an insect.They mock my eminence. Make them pay for that mistakeMake yourself comfortable... before long I will decorate my home with your carcass.How dare you, insect? How dare you interrupt my ascendance? You are nothing.Are you afraid? What is it you fear? The end of your trivial existence? When the history of my glory is written, your species shall only be a footnote to my magnificence.Your flesh is an insult to the perfection of the digital.You are no longer welcome here, nuisance.

At 25 I thought I knew what was up.At 35 I realized I didn't know shiat at 25, but now I got a pretty good handle on things.I imagine 45 will yield similar results.

People say they wish they could go back to high school or be in their 20's again. fark that. I had fun in my 20's, to be sure. But I was always broke, always one step from one disaster or another, and was limited in options. In my 30's on the other hand, I've got way more freedom with the cash and resources to back it up. Life for me has way more freedom now and more options. These are better days.

corn-bread:At 25 I thought I knew what was up.At 35 I realized I didn't know shiat at 25, but now I got a pretty good handle on things.I imagine 45 will yield similar results.

People say they wish they could go back to high school or be in their 20's again. fark that. I had fun in my 20's, to be sure. But I was always broke, always one step from one disaster or another, and was limited in options. In my 30's on the other hand, I've got way more freedom with the cash and resources to back it up. Life for me has way more freedom now and more options. These are better days.

/I'm not married and have no kids, therefore YMMV.

Who is talking about time travel? How about a pill or a treatment to bring your body and brain back to their peak, which is unarguably the 20s?